The Marlboro democrat. [volume] (Bennettsville, S.C.) 1882-1908, 1887-02-02
MUSIC.
AN ESSAY READ BY MISS BELLE FERGU.
SON BEFORE THE TEACHERS CIRCLE
Published by Permission. I

fN0hshef 6y Permission.
AS an influential member oil our Asso-
citation has requested that our work be
as practical as possible, we will endeavor
10 consider this one Of the Fine Arts in
as helpful and practical 4 light as The
occasion wi II allow. No limitation hav-
ing been given when this subject was as
signed, it is little difficult 10 decide
whether this should be written with re-
ference TO method, or simply as history
OF this branch OF education. Perhaps il
will be best to unite both, and with due
Difference to the programme iniiclers of
this 'iarge AID reap%aaHle' s,seen,bly,,
we would suggest that III future some
definite plan be given with any such
comprehensive subject, SO that the aforc-
said assembly may not be longngly anti
cipating the words "in conclusion. and
the writer be spared the expense or SO
much ink and paper. II is to be hoped
the Treasurer will not feel encouraged
to take up the collection
Perhaps it may interest some TO know
that .hc word music comes from the
Greek as well as the two musical terms
harmony and melody, two terms. which
contain definition Of the woriKnusic;
harmony. a combination OF sofnds;
melody, succession ol sounds which
must be agreeable to the car. We are
told that music is the sciences Of sound,
and while it is little hard perhaps to
realize that the beautiful ilowing melodies
OF Mcndcsohn and Schubert. and the
grand Inspirations Of Haydn and Mozart
can be reduced to the rules and princi-
pies OF science, yet SO it is. To Egypt
We must look Tor the earliest music, then
come the Hebrews and Greeks, followed
by all the European nations which hnve
all y national music. each with its own
peculiar characteristics, and beyond
doubt improving as the centuries 20 by.
The great names affixed to the works
whicl, are the study Of all who wish TO
become even only musicians for purposes
Of home recreation, have become almost
household words wherever the English
tongue is spoken, and who that is a
musician can utter the names OF Handel
Beethoven, Bach, whose beautiful musi-
cal thoughts have come down to US.
sounding along the years. refining and
clcvating us. without a peculiar feeling,
half gratitude, half tenderness, as il we
were repeating the last words OF a dearly
loved TREND.
4 few words about musical instru-
ments. In its development musicis sup
posed to have passed through three
stages. each characterised by separate
class OF instrument First come those of
percussion, such rs cymbols, drums etc.
second, the wind instruments, such as
Flute, Clarionct, and that colossal wind
instrument the Organ, and then thirdly
keyed instruments as the I-yrc. Harp,
Violin and the Dulcmcr which has ma
lurcd into our Piano Of to day. In this
last we have a union Of these extremes.
1t being at once string instrument. and
an instrument ofpercussion. The hammers
striking the strings.
SO much ior the means Of making
what Of its mission IN The
world ? Surely IN important one for in
deed This world woula sadly miss the
power which it exercises. tho power to